Administrator, Author at Ranson Renewed

Open House Check-In:
How are we doing so far?

September 11, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

[UPDATED: 09-12-11, 9:55am] There were lots of reasons not to show up Sunday night at Ranson’s Independent Fire Hall to talk about planning and zoning.

It was the 10th anniversary of 9-11-2001, when many families chose to spend the day together. A gulley-washer of a rain storm blew through just before meeting time. And there were the distractions of Sunday sports on the tube. Yet some 60 folks dropped by for the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected open house.

“I want to thank everyone who made this effort,” Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill told the crowd. “Give yourself a round of applause…” [cont.]

Historic Charles Washington Hall: Civic centerpiece for Charles Town and Ranson?

September 11, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

Two principal goals of the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project intersect on the historic corner of Washington and George Streets in Charles Town. That’s the site of Charles Washington Hall.

The building that now occupies that space dates back to 1874, after fires destroyed previous structures. And two of the workshop’s three teams are collaborating on plans for a rehabilitation effort that will accomplish two things at once… [cont.]

New Ways to Shape Growth:
For Old Ranson and beyond

September 10, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

It’s this simple, said PlaceMakers’ Susan Henderson, project leader for the regulatory component of the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project:

“The intent of this new regulatory approach is to make it easier for you to do what you’re telling us is important to you and your community.”

On Saturday, September 10, Henderson and others from the consulting team assigned to the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project discussed the role of zoning in helping to guide growth in character with the region’s character… [cont.]

Lead-Off by Listening: Community, consultants explore transportation topics

September 10, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

Four meetings, designed to drill down more deeply into hopes and concerns surrounding issues at the heart of the weeklong Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected workshop, took up most of the day on Friday, September 9.

Members of the consulting team led discussions about the transformation of Fairfax Boulevard-George Street into a more vibrant gateway into Ranson; about the conversion of historic Charles Washington Hall into a commuter center; about the regional economy; and about real estate development in keeping with a new zoning approach… [cont.]

Off and Running:
Workshop launches with flourish

September 8, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

More than 80 folks turned out on a rainy Thursday night, September 8, for the kick-off of a weeklong workshop to shape the future of the Ranson/Charles Town region.

The evening was part celebration of what’s already taken place, the coming-together of the two towns in an historic planning effort, and part introduction to an intensive week of collaboration… [cont.]

Ready to Plan Together? Here’s how to get the most from our workshop, September 8-14

September 1, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

Look who’s coming to the party:

The staffs and elected officials of two historic West Virginia towns; a consulting team of more than 30 specialists in design and planning across a half-dozen disciplines; officials from three federal agencies; and property owners, business people and citizens from throughout the region.

All will be participants in the weeklong collaborative workshop that kicks off at 7 p.m. on September 8 at Washington High School… [cont.]

Adapting, Reinvigorating Old Sites: Another key workshop goal

August 31, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

The revitalization of former factory sites, scrap yards and other dormant or under-utilized properties can be one of the most rewarding of community initiatives. Instead of allowing these “brownfield” sites to become eyesores, why not find a productive purpose for them, especially if their redesign can be integrated into a more comprehensive community plan?… [cont.]

Former Md. Gov. Glendening,
EPA’s Stanislaus and Others to
Help Kick-Off Sep. 8 Event

August 30, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

The introduction to our week-long planning workshop in Ranson and Charles Town will feature national officials who back exactly the sort of comprehensive, collaborative effort the towns are undertaking.

The evening program begins at 7 p.m. on September 8 at Washington High School. For a complete schedule of the week, go here. And to get an overview of the workshop and its goals, check out the column to the immediate right… [cont.]

Revitalizing Fairfax Boulevard: A key goal for September workshop

August 22, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

If there’s one dramatic indication of how Ranson and Charles Town intend to guide their futures, it will be the design, during the September 8-14 collaborative workshop, of a $1.4 million “Green Corridor” along Fairfax Boulevard and George Street.

The planning is made possible through a combination of federal grants, signaling the national interest in the kind of approach Ranson and Charles Town are exploring… [cont.]

The Perfect Prelude:
Aug. 2 workshop a big hit

August 3, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

When acting Ranson city manager Andy Blake got the feeling that the scheduled August 2 workshop was going to attract more folks than everyone originally thought, he decided to switch the venue from the community room at City Hall to the larger Independent Fire Hall a block away.

Good thing. More than 50 people signed in on Tuesday night, listened to Ranson’s consulting team explain the process ahead and took part in an exercise to evaluate how the city currently devotes space to people, cars, buildings and green space… [cont.]